Name_________________________Date_________________

GAMBIAN MATH ACTIVITY: COUNTING IN WOLOF

Wolof is the language that appears throughout ONE PLASTIC BAG. Here’s how to say numbers 1-5, and the number 10 in the Wolof language.*

1 = benna (BEH-na)! ! 4 = ñenet (NYEH-net)2 = ñaar (NYAAR) ! ! ! 5 = juróom (jur-OME)3 = ñet (NYET) ! ! ! 10 = fukka or fuuk (FOOKA or FOOK)

Wolof numbers are counted in groups of five. To get numbers 6-9, you have to combine five and another number together to make the number you want to say.

For example:To say “6”, it’s like saying 5 + 1: juróom bennaTo say “7”, it’s like saying 5 + 2: juróom ñaarCan you figure out how to say “8” and “9” using this pattern?

To get numbers from 11-15, you have to combine ten and another number to form the number you want to say. Add the word “ak” in between them, which means “and.”

For example: To say “11”, it’s like saying 10 + 1 = fukka ak bennaTo say “12”, it’s like saying 10 + 2 = fukka ak ñaarCan you figure out how to say “13”, “14”, and “15” using this pattern?

Things get trickier when you are counting over 15! You’ll need to combine three or more numerals to say most numbers.

For example:To say “16”, you’ll say 10 + 5 + 1 = fukka ak juróom bennaTo say “19”, you’ll say 10 + 5 + 4 = fukka ak juróom ñenet

When counting by tens in Wolof, you will say the number in the tens place first.

For example:20 = two tens = ñaar fukka30 = three tens = ñet fukka40 = four tens = ñenet fukka50 = five tens = juróom fukkaCan you figure out how to say numbers such as 21, 34, 46, and 59?

© 2015 OnePlasticBag.com - Math Teacher Resource - 5-base counting; addition/multiplication/division/ratios

*spellings/pronunciations may vary by region. **currency rates vary; rounded for ease of calculationFor free educational use only. Commercial users please visit OnePlasticBag.com to request reprint rights.

Try to write out these numbers in Wolof.

8 ______________________________________________________

9 ______________________________________________________

11 _____________________________________________________

26 _____________________________________________________

31 _____________________________________________________

Which numbers are these?

fukka ak ñenet _______

ñaar fukka ak juróom ñaar ________

fukka ak juróom ñet ______

ñenet fukka ak benna ______

ñet fukka ak juróom _______

DALASI MONEY ACTIVITY:currency exchange

In the book ONE PLASTIC BAG, Isatou turns trash into purses and earns DALASI.1 U.S. Dollar (USD) equals about 40 Gambian Dalasi (GMD)**

$1.00 = D40 (use D instead of a dollar sign for Gambian money)

Can you figure out these conversions? Use multiplication, division, fractions, or ratios to fill in the equivalent amount of USD or GMD.

D80 = $ ___________! ! ! ! D10 = $ __________

D400 = $ __________! ! ! ! D2 = $ _________

D___ = $3.00! ! ! ! ! D_______ = $1.00

D___ = $0.50 (fifty cents)! ! ! ! D_______ = $100.00

D ___ = $0.10 (10 cents)! ! ! ! D_______ = $6.00

© 2015 OnePlasticBag.com - Math Teacher Resource - 5-base counting; addition/multiplication/division/ratios

*spellings/pronunciations may vary by region. **currency rates vary; rounded for ease of calculationFor free educational use only. Commercial users please visit OnePlasticBag.com to request reprint rights.